Toy catapult



Jan. 15, 1929. l 1,699,092

, E. L. CALDWELL ET AL Filed Feb. 6', 1928 sull 5 I qtwill [lllll'l III La-JM 91mm; L 2.25 auw/ez; 74.10 M n/ @7726 @www aouuqo Patented Jan. 15, 1929. i UNITED STATES 1,699,092 PATENT OFFICE..

EARL L. CALDWELL AND FRANK Fannie, or GENTBALIA, WASHINGTON.

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Application led February 6, 1928. Serial No. 252,198.`

The invention aims to provide a simple and inexpensive, yet `a very desirable catapult for starting wheeled toys devoid of motive power, across a floor, sidewalk or the like, and with thisend in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matt-er hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a catapult constructed in accordance with our invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view howing parts in different positions from The drawing above briefly described, illustrates the preferred form of construction, and while this construction will be herein s cilically ex lained, it is to be understood t at within t e scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

The catapult embodies a rectangular base 4 and a plurality of arallel walls secured to and rising from sait base, two outer or side walls 5 and several intermediate walls 6, being shown, all of these walls being preferably tied together at their upper rear corners, by an appropriate bar or strip 7. Each of the walls 5--6 is formed with a longitudinal slot 8 which is parallel with the base 4, the walls 5 are provided with rearwardly facing shoulders 9 at the rear ends of their slots, and similar shoulders 10 are formed at the rear ends of the walls 6. The walls 5 project rearwardly beyond the shoulders 9 and are provided with bearing openings 11, and the front portions of these walls are formed with openings 12.

A rod 13 passes through all of the slots 8 and two elastic bands 14 are provided to forwardly shift this rod when desired, said rod being normally engaged with the shoulders 9--10 however as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and hence held against forward shifting. The elastic bands 14 pass through the openings 12 and pass around the rod 13 at oppo-` site sides of the walls 5.

Mounted in the bearing openings 11 is a rock shaft 15 provided with an operating handle 16, the ends of said roclrshaft being equipped with forwardly projecting arms 17 adapted to underlie the rod 13 when the latter is engaged with the shoulders 9-10. After setting of the catapult as in Figs. 1

and 2 and placing of the toys upon the base 4, `between the walls `5 6, turning of the 9-10. Hence, .the elasticbands 14 immedlately come into play to forward shift said i rod, thus projecting the wheeled toys from the base.` The front edge of this base is preferably beveled as at 18, Ato ease the wheeled toys down onto the surface upon which they are to run during the race upon which they are started by the catapult.

Preferably, all parts with the exception of the elastic bands 15, are formed of wood and by preference the exact details herein disclosed are followed. However, it will| be understood that other materials could be used and that withintlie scope of the inven` tion as claimed, numerous changes as to form, proportions, designs and minor details,`1nay be made.

lVe clairnxj l. In a toy catapult, a base, parallel walls secured to and rising from said base, said walls having horizontal slots, a rod extendin g between said walls and having its ends shdably received in said slots, `resilient means for forwardly shifting said rod in said slots, and means for holding said rod l against forward movement until desired.

2. In a toy catapult, a base, paralled walls secured to and rising from said base, said walls having horizontal slots and rearwardly facing shoulders at the rear ends of said slots, a rod extending between said side walls and having its ends passed through said slots, and resilient means for forwardly shifting the rod, said rod being engageable with said shoulders to hold it against forward shifting until desired.

3. In a toy catapult, a base, parallel walls secured to and rising from said base, said walls having horizontal slots and rearwardly facing shoulders at the rear ends of said slots, a rod` extending between said side walls and having its ends passed through said slots, resilient means for forwardly shifting the rod, said rod being engageable with said shoulders to hold it against such shifting until desired, and a rock shaft extending between and supported by the rear ends of said walls, said rock shaft having a handle and projections for forcing said rod from said shoulders.

4. A toy catapult comprising a base, a

plural-ity of parallel walls secured to and rising from said base, said walls havingl longitudinal slots7 the two outermost walls heing` provided with rearwardly facing shoulders at the rear ends of their slots and with alined hearing openings at their rear ends7 a rod passing through said slots and engageable with said shoulders, elastic means connected with the ends of said rod and connected with the front portions of said outermost walls for forwardly shifting Jche rod when released from said shoulders, and a rock shaft mounted in said bearing openings, said rock shaft having a handle and projections for forcingsaid rod from said shoulders.

5. In a toy catapult, a wall having a slot and an opening at one end of said slot, a

toy-projecting' rod passing slidahlly through said slot, and an elastic band passing through said opening. and passing around said rod at opposite sides ol"sai'd'\val`1. Y G. In a toy catapult, a base, parallel walls secured to and rising from said hase, said walls havingr horizontal slots and openings, a rod extending,` between said walls and having its ends slidably receivedi'in said sl'ots, elastichands` passing through said openings and passing arounch said rodi at oppositesides of said walls,` whereby` the said rod` is forwardly shitted in said slots;

In. testimony whereoifi we have helieunto. aibred our signatures.

EARLHLi CALLDNELL.` `FRANK EARRIS., i 

